OverDrive - OverDrive - April 21, 2025 - Hour 3

Episode Date: April 21, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 3 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston joins on the Maple Leafs' first triumph, the atmosphere around Toronto and Jim Rutherford's comments around Quinn Hughes' future in Vancouver. RDS Hockey Analyst and Former NHLer on the Canadiens' new playoff era, the matchup against the Capitals and Ivan Demidov's large impact and Hayes hands out his FanDuel Best Bets.

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Join today and be part of something amazing. Casey, I know you've gone over the Leafs... kind of... horror show with picks that have gone wrong. Draft picks and this guy went there and this second rounder turned into this guy. That Detroit draft, they took Zidena. Oh I believe that over Quinn Hughes Zidena out of the league. I believe yes, and I think it was Holland that was still there instead of Iserman

So I gotta clarify that because that is a swing and a miss You have Quinn Hughes 45 minutes up the road and I gotta clarify that because that is a swing and a miss. You have Quinn Hughes 45 minutes up the road. I will say one thing. I was in Buffalo at that World Juniors and I watched Quinn Hughes and I knew he was talked about as a top 10 pick. I watched and he was just a little scrawny thing out there and I was like, oh. I get you. I know, but somebody got it right where they're like

that guys i don't know if anyone could ever thought that he was going to turn into what he is today cuz i sts sure so i watched him and i was like i don't know how that's that that frames gonna get around the big leagues playing defense well that's the amazing thing but he is such a unicorn where he he is like a rover the way he walks the line, the way he controls the play.

And you know, yes, he's not he's not prong or Stevens in terms of leaning on guys dominates the hockey. He's so effective in terms of smarts like he's one of my favorite players to watch. We watch him. You're like, God, that is so good. Like we will do this probably later in the spring. But we should put together, we do drafts every once in a while, drafting different players based on different standards.

But who you would build your franchise with, I think it's McDavid clearly still. I still think McKinnon should be in there. And I think it's probably McCarr and Quinn Hughes like I think those are the four guys you could argue maybe dry saddle you know Matthews would still be in the conversation Barkov is in the chat but for me it might be those four like Hughes, McCarr, McKinnon, McDavid like that's the big four in terms of franchise superstar center superstar defenseman

in terms of what they do and how they play uh... and how much just entertainment value they bring to the table it's incredible they're all leaders uh... yes it's uh... it's pretty incredible see what happens in vancouver but that would suck like that puts the dina on waivers knowing that's the guy you drafted ahead of Quinn Hughes. Now Vancouver had their own issue because they took Ole Ulevi one year instead of taking

Matthew Kachuk who was the leader. So that one hurt. Yeah they've, there's every- You want to give me a, you want a hazies list one day? Give me a instead of. Give me the top ten instead ofs. Remember that and I'll throw up Bruins had those three picks in a row yes and there were they were all Connor Barzell yeah we're talking Shabbat Barzell Kyle Connor after the next three picks I believe in

succession I believe yes yet is hazy that was sickening process we were there remember it was i think don swinney were like i can't believe is going up again i thought that's a great on back up there that's three in a row and they all for lack of better words respectfully ended up being done well no the one i was a brusk all of you're right jake the brusk the brusk great player the only guy that made it the other two never made it like they never They never played. Yeah

Alright something to chew on is brought to you by Boston pizza. Alright, let me get this reek as we got to make sure we're right We're into the playoffs here, right this playoffs season Boston pizza is planning the parade and has a new all-star playoffs menu For you to enjoy for pizza pints and puck drops, visit your local Boston Pizza today. Alright, we've been asking online. What element of the least game one win was the most important last night? Anthony Stolar is in his play. The power play success, the core force performance or the overall defensive play. Power play success in the lead at about 42 percent Core for it around 28 29 percent stole ours at 25 percent. I Would say stole ours personally because we talked about this Almost every day for six months who's gonna play in that if it stole ours

He's never played a playoff game before I thought the way he reacted, the Bathurst goal was a weird goal. He had it, he fumbled it, it's in, and it was somewhat deflated because it's 2-0. You want to get to the end of the first. Everyone went, uh-oh. Exactly. And then he settles in in the second period and was unbelievable. That's my answer. I think power play is important.

They're all important, but for me the goalie is so important. His first playoff start, he's at home, the place is going nuts, your team's giving you a lead and he held the fort down. I think Stolar's, I think that performance last night was bigger than anything else. I would agree just on the timing of the saves. He didn't have to steal the game, but he didn't, I think the timing and even Craig Barubey talked about it. He said those saves, you know, kept the momentum away from the senators. It didn't open a door for them to feel, okay, now we're back into the game. Now we're doing this and

that. I think the power play would almost be close to his equal, but I would agree. I'm slightly ahead with Stolar's just based on the great unknown he'd never started in the playoffs we didn't know what he was capable we know what he was capable of but he just hadn't seen it he hadn't gone through the process but I think a power play could probably be right there as well it's big but power plays can come and go right and they you generally don't lose you know just because of the power play you lose if your goalie that's true can't make stops Ottawa exactly and I think that that all there was a lot of noise there

was a lot of different details of the game that's the beauty of the playoffs and it's gonna continue for every single game every single night but really I thought the Leafs had five or six grade-eight chances they scored on basically everyone and Ottawa had five or six grade-eight chances and they didn't they scored on two of them and six two Leafs game one see you later here's Chris Johnston our TSN hockey insider CJ you were in the building last night from a Leaf perspective what do you think was the most kind of important ingredient that went into that victory that would lead to maybe some confidence going in the game too

well i i can't imagine anyone on the team not having some confidence after that game i mean basically every aspect they did what you would expect them to do they they've were more composed uh... they got the specially teams that you're mentioning with solars performing all marks on the night. All the big guys got some points, which I think is always helpful because as we know when things go, you know, I'll get a little skittish in the playoffs.

Usually there's a lot of focus on that. And so I think if they can be feeling it offensively and having some of those numbers in their columns, it'll just help things moving forward So that that was that's probably of this core for error Whatever we want to call this one of the more I guess comfortable games if you're watching it Yeah, I just think everything looked as it should it's not to say it was a perfect game obviously there were a few breakdowns there and some great chances of stole ours had to be big for but You know that was pretty pretty complete from the least end of things and there weren't really any areas of concern that I could see.

I'm with you on that. The core four, I would add Riley into that core five. Morgan Riley's been here longer than anyone and they all get on the board outside of Matthews and Matthews has to assist himself. So the best goal scorer of the bunch actually didn't score but they've put up numbers early in series in the past. They put up big numbers at different times against Boston, against Tampa.

But with those players in particular, we've spent so much air time on those players for nine years. What have you noticed being around them before the game, after the game, witnessing last night that would lead you to believe some lessons have been learned or the scar tissue actually could be beneficial this time? Well, the biggest takeaway I have, and I felt this in the last week or two before yesterday's game, not related to just last night is Everything just feels a little bit more relaxed

Around the Leafs. I don't know why that is. I don't know if it's you know, the way, you know It is with Craig Berube as a head coach maybe compared to Sheldon Keefe or maybe it's just after all these years There's a little bit of a more of a relaxed attitude but I just sense that they're having a little bit more fun honestly I think that they know you know they know what the record is better than any of us can recite it but I just I just sense that they're a looser group and you know they're obviously performing at a pretty high level they've been winning a lot of games over the last two months and and have entered the playoffs you know

feeling pretty good about themselves. So, I think that's probably my biggest takeaway is it just doesn't seem like it's crippling pressure, the shouldering of all this. I mean, at least right now, and it's still very early and we know the playoffs are known for wild swings in all kinds of directions, lots of things are gonna happen.

But to start this playoff run, the Leafs are healthy. And they really just seem to be in a good place as a team, very confident, very poised. And as I said, they're playing a Senators team with nowhere near the experience level that they have. And I think it showed in that game one. What do you make of Morgan Riley's night? Because about halfway through, I was like,

I would be concerned in one sense. If Kachuk scores on that breakaway we're looking at a little bit different night but I just I was so happy for him when he scored where you're like okay you know you didn't get a lot of offense from the D they were last in production as far as this season from the D-Core if in the National Hockey League and you got two goals from defense last night. So you look at Riley's night, it was solid. He had the one turnover to Kachuk.

Stolar's bails him out. And then he ends up scoring, and you're going, man, like now Morgan Riley, some confidence. It could have been a reverse of fortunes there. And if anything, you're talking about Morgan Riley having a really good game, which I thought he was solid. Yeah I mean certainly that that could have been a glaring error that that made the night feel differently when we're talking about Morgan's performance you know

especially if Kachuk scores and you know maybe Ottawa takes control I mean there's the beauty of the playoffs didn't go a lot of different ways I mean at the risk of being a prisoner of the pass I think what stands out too is look at the the ice-time allotments for the blue liners I mean there wasn't a lot of different ways. I mean, at the risk of being a prisoner of the past, I think what stands out too is look at the ice time allotments for the blue liners. I mean, there wasn't a lot of variance. I mean, at this point, it's pretty clear that the coaching staff is comfortable playing, you know, all three pairs. And it feels like there's a little bit less on Riley shoulders. I'd say that in the past, I mean, you know, the power play is cooking, they've taken him off the top unit. Obviously it's a five forward, you know, the power play is cooking, they've taken him off the top unit. Obviously it's a five forward alignment that they roll with now on their first power play and, you know, with, with some of the players, they've signed the

Tanevs and O'Yells bringing in Brandon Carlo at the deadline. I just think that they're a better balance group back there. So, you know, for Morgan, I think he probably feels like he has to do a little bit less. Um, you know, he's still playing big minutes and important minutes for the team, of course, but I think that he's maybe shouldering a little bit less of the overall weight of what needs to happen. And, you know, you see the results of the game like that because, you know, certainly a couple of breakdowns on the Leafs end.

I mean, I don't want to look past those, but in general, you know, even in some of these games where they're outshot, it doesn't feel like they're they're completely underwater in them and i do think they're playing a much better defensive game overall with with the personnel changes they've made in the last year cj in the press room after the game did it go somewhat quiet when the question was phrased about the elephant in the room and then greenies head look like it was going to pop up on his body at whoever asked the question

How did that go down in there? What was the vibe like? Well, it was Ken Campbell that asked the question Long time writer in this town probably was working at the Toronto Star back when Travis Green was on the leaf So I'm I'm guessing it's you know the funny thing with this series. It feels a little bit like It's very familiar right between Travis Green You know obviously he's no stranger to the market to the people on our side of the microphone you know a lot a lot of people that have worked I guess on both sides of the Battle of Ontario and so I don't think anyone was

surprised by that question Ken is known in our in the media ranks for it was a dumb question I thought it was a dumb question i thought i don't know that you can't well be fair enough he got a great answer and that's selfishly when you're sitting in in the crowd of the reporter you're you're happy to see back and i i kinda you know get get some of that answer but i can understand why if you're

tris green you sit there going all man i mean last night for the goalie but this is this is put to me to me in a way that I'm not sure what to do with. Right, yeah, the elephant in the room about Allmark after one game, but listen, Allmark's gonna go in tomorrow and someone's gotta lose game one, and we've been talking about it, that Ottawa's not alone. Dallas lost, and Jersey lost, and St. Louis lost,

and Minnesota lost, and someone's gonna lose. Edmontonon LA tonight, Montreal, Washington. There's gonna be someone's gotta lose game one. In terms of what else you've seen throughout the league, the Dallas Colorado series in particular, do you feel like that, like the we saw something that would indicate Coloradoado's gonna kinda cruise home or do you think allison's gonna have that push back because that series had been hyped up and promoted as this you know out of the universe type match up and game one five one colorado and dallas lost a lot of games are coming down the stretch

yeah i'm an optimist i still think there's a chance that that that series was up to its billing. I mean, you know, having the injuries the Stars do, it's not to make excuses for them, but it does change maybe some of the dynamic there, especially Hasekinen, who would be playing so many minutes for them in a world where he was healthy. But you know, the Stars are a pretty battle-hardened team and you know, they've been to a couple conference finals here in recent memory and I just have to believe that they're going to find a way to get back in the series and win the game tonight because going to Denver down 0-2 would be a pretty difficult position

and would suddenly turn that series that we did hype up into one that could be over much quicker than most people would have expected it. Even with some of the absences, I think the Stars have the players to make this an interesting series and really it's on them to go get it done. I don't overreact too often to just one game. Even, I'd say the same in this battle of Ontario, might feel very different in a couple days' time. The Stars, this is a huge

you know game two for them tonight i don't think there are just cuz game one didn't go their way with this johnson art tsn hockey insider uh... i'm sure you're aware of the vancouver canucks press conference where uh... they were discussing the future of quinn hughes setting up blockbusters yeah jim rutherford you know basically said they've maybe money isn't going to be what matters most to quit in the future is indicated he wants to play with his

brothers and maybe vancouver has to get lou can jack into vancouver in order for them to have you know the control over that how do you think though the league and how do you think new jersey may respond to that? Well I'm sure it's one of those ones behind the scenes that there might be a bit of a wrist slap. You know, I don't think that, I mean look, they have to take anything that borders on

tampering seriously. Obviously, you're talking about two players that are under contract to the devils and you know, I think that Jim Rutherutherford in that case, you know, probably provide a little too much info in that answer, but you know, I, I think with where everyone's at contractually it's maybe not as, as big a deal for the league, but you know, it's, it's going to be one. I'm sure there's a, at minimum, there's a phone call being placed as a reminder of the rules. And, and, you know,

this has been a bit of a I would say a bit more of a focal point in the last year not not specific to that that can have comments but you know after July 1st last year there was a memo that went around a teams reminding them about you know not talking to free agents too early this is a little different circumstance but I think it falls under the same broader category of being very mindful of how little you're supposed to say which is basically nothing about a player that isn't under your Employ, so I give the cadet credit because those a lot of those press conferences have a lot of truth bombs in them

And that was probably the biggest one. I heard dropped today What I I took this a different way I don't know how I want all three you guys to weigh in on it to me I thought that was Jimmy Rutherford painting a picture It's like we could offer this guy 50. He wants to go play with his brother somewhere else. But when he tossed in the other guy, the other guy's coming here. Well, I, well, obviously, because look, Jimmy's honest, and I think he's been in the league

long enough where he just doesn't give a rat's ass. It's just, he was just speaking the truth. He was, but I think if something like, wouldn't you be fearful in Vancouver that if one of his favorite coaches, Rick Tuckett, doesn't come back and you've had the JT Miller or Patterson? Well Jamie, we were just discussing what does the organization do? If this guy has demands, it's like build the team up to this and go get that guy and do this. Right. And then all of a sudden he jets in a year and a half. All assets are blown out the door and you tried to make him happy and he leaves anyway

Well, that's you would have to have some kind of guarantee moving forward a hundred percent and that's right You know CJ you can weigh when I when I listen to those comments. I felt like he was almost you know saying We're a little worried here that this guy doesn't matter what type of check we can write He might put his hand up and say next summer i'm playing this out because they can sign a next this summer correct july first not this summer the net following some years left our story i was unfair to

quinn-hughes though i mean if i'm quinn-hughes and cj you you jump in but if i'm quinn-hughes i'm like let me get this straight elise peterson's a disaster. JT Miller, whatever the hell happened there, he's gone. We don't know who our coach is gonna be. Demko never plays. We don't score.

I'm the only guy that actually plays. I'm the guy with the captaincy. I'm the guy that shows up. I'm the superstar and now you're putting this on me? Because I have brothers that play, I may not wanna be here. I think that's unfair to Hughes.es where do you stand on it cj i agree with you on her percent i mean it

and also opening the door to your fans they're really start imagining a world where he's not there and i guess i'm sure the realistic and that their brains when a party you know dot to that point but when you hear the the president of the team people openly basically how dire the situation feels that you know if you can interpret the way you know center corrected a business side battered us not paying them is no but we can offer a month to get a brother here

uh... you know that i just it feels like a very very very very honest comment and unusually one unusually soon when that that kind of setting yet sure is uh... concerning though it is it is and again it's like a cherry on top it's been a disaster and now this on the way out like what's gonna happen quick news uh... we also play the dylan larkin comments from earlier today

where the captain of the red wings was reciting the vibe in the room at the trade deadline. I didn't like those comments. I didn't like them. Yeah basically said hey it wasn't great for morale and we struggled because Steve Eisenman didn't make any trades. How do you think Eisenman could react to that? How might ownership in Detroit react to all of this? Well it seems like there's a fair bit of soul-searching going on with the Red Wings. I don't know what the next direction is for them. I mean certainly their team that I think wants

to be very active in trying to get a star there whether through free agency or maybe the trademark at this offseason. But things aren't settled with the Red Wings and you know probably rightfully so. I mean they've spent a long time here outside the playoff window and, you know, they were, I guess vaguely in the mix this year, but, you know, didn't feel like they were ever going to have the juice to get there. And I suppose from where the player sits and it's your captain, um, you know, he felt that, that they needed a little bit of boost at the deadline, but I'm with you, I feel like the bit of airing the laundry

in a way that might be more productive in private meetings behind the scenes as they chart their way forward. And so there's no way Steve Isaman like that being discussed publicly. But at the same time, we've seen this in the past. I actually remember the Blue Jays doing this a few years ago coming out and speaking

In this way some of their players after their work moves made it to deadline and you know I think it applies a certain amount of pressure But the fact is that pressure was going to be there anyway Because the Red Wings need to be a playoff team next season or you know, I think that we're talking some some real Organizational changes that yeah, I could definitely see that uh... cj gritsinian will catch you down there tomorrow night can't wait guys here is chris johnson rt s and hockey insider uh... it's interesting with that i was i was posed this question earlier appears how

you guys would answer this who has more pressure going to the playoffs the edmonton oilers for the washington capitals the evidence of others Oilers or the Washington Capitals? The Edmonton Oilers because they have the best player in the world. And you saw what happened when you peeled back the curtain last year how much this means to him. And they made some changes that I don't necessarily I don't think they help them very much and I think they had a

misjudgment of what what was there and I always say to you guys the best assessment you have to make in the big leagues is with your own players and I think that I think they dropped the ball with what happened last year and how much of a how much of a price is it going to be you're going to find out tonight. Yeah, I mean, I would say Washington, but I agree with you. Oh, like we just think McDavid, McDavid, McDavid, the Washington, you know, I think there's a lot of pressure there because they didn't play well down the stretch. And I look at they got the OV thing, OV thing.

And now is that like, OK, take your foot off the gas? Because they really haven't done it. Jamie, I'll counter you with this. There is a lot of pressure because of the record and where they stand, but at the beginning of the season, I again did not have them making the playoffs. No, you're right. That's not kid ourselves here. That's fair.

The reason Spencer Carberry is going to win Coach of the Year, and people are talking about Arneal out in Winnipeg, Carberry is going to win the coach of the year because of the expectations going into the season. Nobody had the Washington Capitals with that kind of record, blowing away everybody and separating in the metro. I know some teams had some setbacks, but the expectation wasn't that for Washington and that's why Carberry is the coach of the year. The only thing that could save

edmonton is they could just go they leave we're not healthy that's it you take a look at those guys and that would be the only thing but you're you know what you're right you make a great point ebbington at the x expectations and if they fall short whether it's it's roster based or injury based it's still pressure on them because of the

expectations well that's it and that's why I found it a compelling conversation because they're both starting tonight you know the Habs the Habs have no pressure clearly. I think there's pressure on LA there should be pressure on LA you're a really good team you make the playoffs every year you never win anything but two separate scenarios yet Washington you know they won the they won the conference you know they were wanted to be one the conference you know they were fighting for the president's trophy with great four five games to go

and uh... yet i think you've you raise a very important point before the season that was not the expectation were before the season it was like edmonton is going to do it for today losing the cup final the next year go back and win it and i think it meanton it feels very different today looking at Edmonton compared to how we looked at Florida. That's a bonkers thing to think that Vegas did it or did Vegas go back to back and then win it? Vegas had been there. They went to the final in the year one. Florida did it Edmonton did it. Tampa did it. Tampa went to its couple it doesn't

mean that just because you get there, it's like an automatic. That's insane. A lot of people had that opinion. I mean, I wouldn't say it was consensus, but it was like Edmonton will just do it next year. They learned from the Cup final, get back on the saddle. Dude, it was a consensus favorite amongst our colleagues for them to win the Cup. Everybody was involved. Absolutely. And this is justified after what they did last year and who they have and all

that. But this time last year, who they have and all that but you know This time last year, Florida. It was like I think they're gonna run through the East and they did it I don't have that feeling with Edmonton in the West. It's clearly very different Bruno Gervais will join us on the Habs getting started tonight Could they maybe have a sleeping giant on their hands that they need to continue to sleep? And that would be Washington the way that they were playing Coming into the playoffs and what kind of night will we see out of the kids out of these young players in Montreal? Game one tonight down in Washington. So we'll catch up with Bruno best bet still to come

Overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN 2 something to chew on was brought to you by Boston Pizza Canada's favorite sports bar this playoff season Boston Pizza is planning the parade and has a new all-star playoff menu for you to enjoy. For pizza, pints and puck drops, visit your local Boston Pizza today. All right, best bets later in the hour. Got a bunch of hockey games tonight. A lot of Canadian content tonight. Got the Jays down in Houston.

Max Scherzer's down there throwing, second quarter zone shot. We'll see what comes of it. Get that weasel Rowdy Teles out of town. I know, Rowdy. Jam them up, man. They need Scherzer. That Easton Lucas, that's enough.

Good job. Couple of good starts, but that's enough now. That's two starts. He's been lit up, giving up a lot of home runs, walking guys. That's enough. They need, that's two starts. He's been lit up giving up a lot of home runs walking guys That's enough. They need Scherzer back in the rotation Jason Houston tonight Habs are in Washington game one tonight. I am jacked for this game. I I

Like all of us I think kind of jumped on the bandwagon on the Habs down the stretch here to see if they could punch their ticket I know all the way to game 82. They did it. Yeah, and they've been thoroughly entertaining to watch and track, but now they're in one. Now they're in the playoffs. Now it's a completely different level. And here's a guy that's very familiar with that. He's a former NHL or RDS, Canadian's analyst.

Here is Bruno Gervais. How are you doing, Bruno? I'm doing great. How about you guys? We're doing very well. What I guess, you know, paint us a picture of the mood in montreal among habs fans is it's nervousness is it excitement or their expectation what kind of feelings going to game one

well you know getting into the playoffs it felt like christmas came around twice there with the the ads punching in like you said they're getting their ticket uh... and getting Demidov, that nice little surprise, that little extra too at the end of the year. So a lot of excitement and it's always been a hard thing and it's the challenge here in Montreal to manage expectation and not get the emotions, get ahead of everything.

But they really finished strong and if you look since you know the four nation the way they've been playing and that's a pretty big you know sequences of game and they they're top six in the NHL for that period of time and a lot of positive can they maintain that and it's gonna be fun to watch because as you guys know like During your regular season when you catch a heater It feels like you can kind of keep it going for a while and that's what Montreal did they were tremendous down the stretch but now that you're facing a team that's actually going to park the bus and analyze you and you know like trying to expose your weaknesses and make little change and tweak their system tweak

little things left and right and make some adjustment it's going to be that little battle of adjustment between the two teams. That's gonna be fun to see, cause they were just rolling full of confidence. They were getting goals. They were getting goals from the depth up front. They were really lucky too with injuries. I think they managed that pretty well

and they stayed healthy the whole year. So that's a big aspect for our team obviously. But now the fact that you gotta face a physical team, a team that's got a big body for best of seven that's gonna be quite of a challenge. Bruno talk about you know you mentioned Demidoff there just the effect that he had you know the games that he played and and maybe what he could be you know what he could bring to the table maybe as an X factor because really the league doesn't know him so you're doing pre-scouts if you're the Washington Capitals you don't really know this kid and what he could bring to the table maybe as an X factor because really the league doesn't know him so you're doing pre-scouts if you're the Washington Capitals you don't really know this kid and what he's capable of

well he's a Really impressed me and that's the big part because we've heard just great things and amazing things about him the whole year from the KHL and from everybody that was over there and there was always a dimming off watch and highlights were coming this way and you know how it is. If you scout a player based on highlights you're in trouble. But so many positive from the KHL about the human being behind that, about the way he played 200 feet, about everything. But you want to see him in an NHL environment, an actual NHL game. It was amazing and electric.

When he did his rookie lap, I would say over 50% of the building was full. People were standing up, cheering. It was the loudest rookie lap I've seen in my life. And then the second he got on the ice, it was a stinging ovation. People compared him to Guy Lafleur. Like, people were so ecstatic about him here. He didn't really disappoint. I mean, like, a goal and an assist within the first four or five shifts of his NHL career.

So he's got tremendous skill. One aspect for me that really stood out is you're going to see him change direction and the way he explodes off of that, the way he creates space for himself and he's always getting information of what's happening around him. So he'll spin on a guy and then half a second later the puck is already gone because he saw the play develop before. So that for me, he kept doing it and kept doing it and no one could kind of keep up with him in the corner from that. He's got a big body, protects the puck and he'll spin off guy and create something out of that. So the guys around him were getting a little more hop in their step because they know the puck's going to come there and they know if they find a spot on the ice they're available they'll find them. Do you think that this demidoff kid might keep slavkowski on his toes because if he dips maybe nick suzuki has a little chat with marty st louis

saying maybe put the kid on our line because that's what you have we always talk about internal competition i'm sure slavkowski is paying attention saying i can't kind of float off and disappear because this kid wants to play all the time and wants to play with the best players. And I think you're right, but you actually kind of need that and great for the Canadians to be at that point where you got two guys that want to play the right and they can bring some offensive part of their game, but they're different players.

And I know the second Dimitrov like within five minutes of the first game you played everyone was like let's get him on the first power play let's get him on the first part because Montreal's power plays been kind of paving it fading out right now even with Laney on it but they're gonna be playing two different styles in that power play Slavkovsky is really trying to get his game what's around the net. Like he's going to look at a Brady Kachuk, how he plays around the net and that's what he wants to bring to his game. I mean that was going to be a different player, but to be on the first line or

trying to create a spark, here's an extra card that Marty's got and he hasn't been afraid to mix and match like during the game and tweak some things and get someone going. I don't think he had anybody that was really barking at that first spot and getting a chance on that first sign that could have really made a spark until they got the meet up. And is he going to use it? Is he going to wait for it? How is he going to kind of manage that? Because the third and fourth line, the New Hook line and the Evans line

that stayed together from, you know, most part of the season. And I think that's kind of glued together especially with the Dvorak line sorry the Dvorak line the third line and Evans line they've been together they've been trying to get someone with New Hook and Laney and try to get a spark try to get someone there they're the young kid Joshua Roy came up for a while as well and I think Demidov there got these two kind of going a little bit, but are you going to mix and match and see how things are going? Because it's such a short sample with the two games that he played, but once you need a goal, once you need to press things,

might be a Dimitrov that gets on the right there once in a while. Can you speak to Nick Suzuki, the job he did coming down the stretch? I think, you know, we've always thought like everyone says, oh, he's a good player out there in Montreal. But I think everybody focused on the Habs coming down the stretch. He really established himself as like a superstar type of player in the league, like the leadership, the clutch goals, all of it situational play.

He did it all for the Habs coming down the stretch. He was tremendous and from the four nations and with everything well the north that was going around especially going into the four nations montreal was kind of out of it and coming back after there was a meeting between shizuki and the organization the word was to keep the guys around give them a chance i mean like you've been selling for so many years, they got so many draft picks, like

give them a chance. Keep that group together. You don't need to be adding and selling, I mean buying, but keep that group together. And he backed it up. Like he backed his words and the way he played every aspect of the game, Marty's throwing him out there more and more for the PK. Every situation. He plays a little bit like a vegkin, the two minutes on the power play. But the amount of, you know, the workload that he's had, the quantity of ice time,

but with the quality and his compete level went another up a notch. Everything that he did in big moments, everything went up a notch. And I mean, for a while, they were on a roll for a notch. Everything that he did in big moments, everything went up a notch. And I mean for a while, they were on a roll for a while and I think he had three or four game winning goals and he assisted on the fourth one. Like he was in the mix for every big moment for the Canadians. And there's so many big moments during the year that brought the Canadians to make the playoffs at the end there. But one of them was like a couple weeks ago when Florida was up by a goal here in Montreal and he scored for like six seconds left to the game

and then ended up scoring in overtime and getting to two points. That was humongous for them. So every big moment, Suzuki was right there. Absolutely, and you expect it continues tonight. Game one, Habs Capital C is Bruno Gervais, former NHL and RDS analyst. Enjoy the game, enjoy the series.

Thank you for doing this, Bruno. Anytime guys, enjoy the night. You got it. And you know, we've spent a lot of the day talking about goaltending matchups and it'd be no different tonight where you know Montembeau is going to go for the Habs, but Logan Thompson is ready to go and he's starting and playing tonight. That's kind of something that would fire the boys up when you get your guy back in the cage.

Yeah, he's been there guy. Yeah, it's just a good, it's a positive thing like, especially when you've been stalling down the stretch, he just gets a mojo like that where it's like, I'm back and the guys are like, all right, let's go. Yeah. And we always talk about, we talked about Stolar's getting his first start. Logan Thompson has four in the playoffs, he's two and two, that was for Vegas. Charlie Lindgren has four starts as well and he's owing four. Like it's

not like they have a wealth of experience in net there as far as in the playoffs or deep into the playoffs. But Lindgren has done know, has done a good job, but Thompson's their guy. If you look at analytically, I think we would all agree Logan Thompson probably could have been on that that four nations face off, like how well he played and it was Montembeau that got that that number three spot there and and that experience to go through. So I, you know, I'm curious, you know, we saw Ottawa, you know, a little Ottawa, a little bit too tentative, maybe some nerves, all of that type of stuff. What's Montreal going to look like? Because there is guys that have been there, Suzuki, Caulfield, those guys got the experience against the Leafs that whatever that year was. How many years ago was that? 2021? 4 years ago. And they have Anderson, they've got Gallagher and stuff, but what's Lane Hudson going to look like?

Demidov, this guy just landed here. That is a great question. What Hudson and Demidov look like, and Hudson more so, because Demidov has played two games he just got here, he's on the wing. Hudson's going to play 28 minutes tonight, possibly. Tom Wilson's going to try and put him through the boards. Absolutely. And if it's not him, it'll be Ovechkin or any of them.

They're monsters up front. And they are going to do everything they can to try to get after him. Now, teams have tried to do that, but this is playoff hockey. It's going to be a little bit different. How does Hudson react to the pace, to the physicality, to the ice shrinking, all that kind of stuff? I'm very curious to see it. Damidoff, clearly a part of that as well, but Slawkowski, he doesn't have the

playoff history. He's getting that opportunity tonight. Kaden Gouli doesn't have playoff history and these are important pieces, but they do have a good blend. Like you mentioned, Josh Anderson's a playoff player, man. He's an animal. He's an animal and he is one of the few guys that will go toe to toe with Tom Wilson Yes, they've been fighting since they were like 14 years old like they're both from the Toronto area guys I think they're the same age. I think they fought a lot. Yeah through junior and all that So he'll be there Gallagher, you know where he's going

Like Logan Thompson will meet him early and often tonight. Yeah, like he will be right in his wheelhouse and meet him early and often tonight. Yeah. Like he will be right in his wheelhouse. And yeah, we'll see. I mean, it's an uphill battle. Washington's a clear favorite, they should be. But Montreal has been peaking to get in. We'll see what they've got.

You got Winnipeg in action tonight. Do you think there's a focus on Halibuck? Like there always is, but the fact that they won the game Does that settle that down or are we all eyes on Halibuck? I wouldn't hurt his cause if he's dynamite tonight. Yeah, when to one that's I agree like if they if they lost three to all we're doing is looking at all three goals where he's a bit deep and There were some screenshots didn't look great all of that type of stuff, but I just did an SC hit when I was gone and You can argue, you know listen, I didn't love the goals and and you know seeing eye shots all of that but he you know

He made a save on Cairo at 3-2 on the breakaway and that makes it 4-2 if he if Cairo scores there That game's over because I think you know st. Louis continues the role he makes a big save in the second period and then Winnipeg wakes up in the third period and it's curtains that's what it is I didn't think Hellebuck had his a but if he comes back tonight with an a game nobody thinks about it because he won on a game where he didn't have his a stuff exactly well that's really big opportunity for him to do just that. You just had a heart worthy season where now you're up one, nothing. You're at home. You're the president's trophy winners. You're you've got it.

Just lock it down tonight. And if he, if he plays great and they win and you're, you're up to nothing, that's going to be very difficult to things down to right big time. Quiet things down too, right? Big time. Because the last couple years they've played fine in game one. They've won game one. They haven't won a game after that. I think they won against Colorado game one.

They won against Vegas the year before game one. We know what happened the rest of the way. They lost in five. So there's going to be some anxiety about that. Like game two, what does Winnipeg look like? And then you got Edmonton, LA tonight. Tomorrow we're teeing up game two, the Battle of Ontario. It happens quick, man.

Like it happens quick. It's every second day. That's the one thing. Johnny, oh, you were part of that conversation last night. Johnny said something about statistically for Stolarz. Oh really, I had no idea he was interested in those type of things. Well he said it to me, you might have been

in and out of the conversation. But he said, if you look at Stolarz's starts, it's rare that he played, I don't think, you know, every second day throughout his, I think, I don't know if he had done day throughout his I think I don't know he's got no choice now that's my point wasn't on the ice today which I think that you know they they give him the day off and then reset so this is everything's kind of going to be new for him you know you check one box because you got

through game one and you're fantastic you got to do it again two nights later yeah and then two nights later and then two nights later. And then two nights later, and then two nights later. This is all new for him, but so far, gold star. Well, I think that's why that was the big story for me last night. There were a lot of different things, but we spent all season talking about who's going to be the starter, game one. Are they going to have a tandem when they get to the playoffs? Right. The starter is Stolars, and the answer is no.

Wall's not playing tomorrow night and i would say stores played well enough last night that regardless of what happens tomorrow he plays game three yeah and and that wouldn't mean again the idea that they're going to tandem or go back and forth maybe it develops down the road hopefully not but Craig Barube kind of showed his cards a couple weeks ago where he said We have always done it is we have one guy and that guy plays, you know Tandems in the playoffs not really my thing kind of like fanny packs with suits. Yeah, not everyone's thing

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Yeah, you got the Oilers back in the dance. You got McDavid and Dry Settle in Hollywood. Can't beat that. You got the Habs, you got the Jets tonight. You got a couple of NBA playoff games. See the Grizzlies get beat by 51 points. That's awful, man. Awful.

They had to play the playing games. I understand that. It's basically a scheduled loss, but I don't know how you lose by 51 in the playoffs. I couldn't believe it when I saw that yesterday. There's no coming back from that. That's where you shake hands and say, guys, take the series. Basically, I prefer to just leave now. Like 51 points is insane for the playoffs. I still can't even fathom that that happened. A lot of blowouts early in the NBA, but a couple of games there and the Jays are down in Houston.

And tomorrow, we got game two, Leafs sends, and maybe I'll bring the fanny pack in you sure I'm gonna have a suit on I'm going out of the game, but it's I know what I'm gonna bring in Maybe we started for the playoffs this year. I was at the store today, and I saw the t-shirts One with a hawk. There's one with a cobra snake Maybe that's the vibe we got to get going. Something gritty, something different. All right. Is that like a gas station? That's right.

Like we were talking about those t-shirts that they have a wolf and only guys that are gritty and they just they mean business. They wear these things. I think we just give them a shot tomorrow. Okay. Well, I guess it's worth giving. Why not? I mean, I'll be ready to go. I. Well, I guess it's worth giving. Why not? I mean, I'll be ready to go.

I'm going to, I'm going down to the game again. I'll be up in the press box. You're going to wear a wolf shirt? I'm not wearing a wolf shirt. I gotta wear a suit. I gotta wear a suit tomorrow. Are you working tomorrow night or are you just wearing a suit? Yeah, I'm doing sports.

Fair enough. Every game. Because if you're going as a, okay, that's fair. If you're going as a fan, you can't wear a suit. No, that's, I would not going as a fan. You can't wear a suit No, that's I would not have worn a suit. I know but I'm saying if tomorrow you were going down Just cuz you're going down with a buddy, but you can't wear the I would not wear a suit. I never Had to wear the suit. I was doing sports center hits. I'm not getting the wolf shirts then. Yeah I don't think I can do wolf man. got a rock mace like the b-suit i know but it's for more casual when we're not all running around

later in the week when the lease are on the road wolf shirts on the road all right there they're thursday night wolf shirts on the road all right good stuff today thanks to everyone for tuning in tv radio podcast web everyone for helping out behind the scenes we appreciate it we're out of here enjoy your evenings enjoy the games tonight we're back tomorrow at the fanny packs want to know 4 p.m. we'll chat then all new all canadian the best of our great nation one song at a time this is justin beaver hi this is terry clark we are nickelback Made in Canada, on iHeartRadio. Rock, pop, hip-hop, and when it comes to country, it's the true north all the way.

Loud and proud. An all-new digital radio station from coast to coast. Made in Canada, played in Canada. On the free iHeartRadio app and at iHeartRadio.ca. It's gonna get loud.